Newsletter - Summer 2014

UK-German Connection newsletter - summer 2014

Commemorating World War I, inspirational Youth Ambassador activities, German visitors and more...

Welcome to the summer 2014 edition of the UK-German Connection newsletter.

Find out about the thought-provoking project exploring WWI carried out by two schools, which culminated in the creation of a joint memorial to the Christmas Truce. There's also a look at the next Youth Ambassadors seminar as well as a reflection on the themes discussed during this year's Host a Teacher visits. And not forgetting the chance to discover more about summer in Germany!

Enjoy the sunshine and the well-earned break over the summer, when it arrives - maybe you'll be hitting the Strandkörbe too!

Exploring the commemoration and culture of WW1 - 100 years on

What happened during the Christmas Truce 1914 and what was the cultural importance of the event? How did people commemorate during World War I and how did its aftermath affect the UK, Germany and wider European relations? Students from Mildenhall College Academy in Suffolk and Gymnasium Theodorianum in Paderborn found their answers by challenging cultural (mis)conceptions during their project on 'Commemorating Past Sacrifice'. They were able to rethink their attitudes towards the conflict and those involved on all sides.

As a permanent outcome of their joint work, the students designed a UK-German war memorial together to pay tribute to the 1914 Christmas Truce - which left "an indelible emotional mark on the participants as well as a physical landmark on the soil of Belgium", according to one teacher.

News from the networks

Identity discussions, cultural parcel exchanges, quiz nights... our UK-German Youth Ambassadors will be discussing these and many more of their projects at their evaluation seminar in Berlin in July. The seminar gives them the opportunity to present and celebrate their projects and activities this year, and to reflect on the impact they've had, as well as their own learning. And, of course, time to catch up with each other and explore Berlin together!

Host a Teacher from Germany

'The guest teacher was enthusiastic and knowledgeable, therefore could bring new life and energy to the department. Students had an opportunity to practice their German with a native speaker in small groups and at the same time learn about German culture and life'.

Through the Host a Teacher from Germany programme, UK schools have been hosting visiting teachers from Germany. The teachers have carried out a wide variety of activities in their host schools, from discussing the experiences of pupils in Germany during the war to running cookery sessions, running interactive lessons on their own schools and areas to helping with speaking practice, and much more!

UK teachers also reflected on educational issues with their visitors; these included behaviour management and reward systems, transition, and assessment and planning, among many others. Having had the chance to get to know their visitor, many schools will stay in touch with them, bringing the pupils from each school into contact with each other in a variety of ways.

Would you like to host a teacher from Germany at your school next academic year? The programme is free, and has a deadline of 19 September 2014. Enhanced support and guidance on how to get the most out of the teacher's visit will be provided to all participating schools: http://www.ukgermanconnection.org/hostateacher